Blue Jays overcome 8-run deficit, beat Reds 14-9

Edwin Encarnacion hit two three-run homers

Edwin Encarnacion hit two three-run homers Friday night, and the Toronto Blue Jays pulled off the second-biggest comeback in franchise history, rallying from an early eight-run deficit to a 14-9 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

Toronto hit four homers during its comeback, including the two by the major leagues' home run leader. Encarnacion started the comeback by connecting in the third inning off Mat Latos and finished it with his 23rd homer off Sam LeCure during a five-run ninth inning.

Brett Lawrie and Juan Francisco also homered for Toronto, which piled up 16 hits and nine walks.

The eight-run deficit was the second-biggest overcome in franchise history. Toronto overcame a 10-run deficit to beat Boston 13-11 in 12 innings in 1989.

With the score tied at 9, Aroldis Chapman (0-2) came on to pitch the ninth and walked leadoff hitter Colby Rasmus. Erik Kratz doubled off the wall in left field to break the tie, then came around on Melky Cabrera's single.

Chapman was replaced after getting only two outs, and Encarnacion completed the big comeback and his sixth multihomer game of the season.

Dustin McGowan (4-2) pitched a perfect eighth. Casey Janssen retired the three batters he faced in the ninth for his 13th save in 15 chances.

The comeback boosted the Blue Jays out of a recent funk. They were swept for the first time this season at Yankee Stadium and had dropped nine of their last 12.

The Reds' pitching meltdown wasted a chance to get back to .500 for the fourth time this season. Cincinnati has yet to have a winning record.

It was the first time the Reds blew an eight-run lead and lost since May 20, 2010, at Atlanta, a 10-9 defeat. The Reds gave up a season-high nine walks and 15 hits.

The Blue Jays called up Liam Hendriks to start in place of R.A. Dickey, getting two extra days to rest a sore groin. The Reds knocked him out in the second inning while sending 11 batters to the plate for an 8-0 lead, their biggest inning of the season.

Devin Mesoraco started the rally with a two-run homer and Jay Bruce finished it with a two-run shot. Bruce also singled as the Reds piled up seven hits and a walk.

Latos made his second start since returning from the disabled list and wasn't sharp. He gave up nine hits, three walks and Encarnacion's three-run homer during 5 2-3 innings.

Reliever Jumbo Diaz made his major league debut in the seventh and gave up Lawrie's solo homer and Francisco's two-run shot, cutting it to 9-8. Toronto then tied it in the eighth on Dioner Navarro's double off Jonathan Broxton.